Maria Ana.
Mom/Diva US

Maria is a second year BFA in Music Theatre and is super excited to be a part of Starmites as Diva/Mom Understudy! Her past UCI credits include 9 to 5 The Musical (Margaret) and The Bald Soprano (Spectator). She has previously music directed Avenue Q with Metro Theatre Co, as well. She would love to thank her family and friends for being supportive of her career thus far.

Nathan Bravo
Space Punk

Nathan is a fourth year Music Theatre BFA and is beyond excited to be in Starmites! During his time here, you might have seen him in 9 to 5(Joe), Rent(Angel), and The Prom(Nick). He is also a proud member of Metro Theatre Company with his best friends and Uniting Voices A Cappella. He would like to thank Nikki for this opportunity, as well as his teachers and family for their endless support.

Irene Emahiser.
Starmite – Diggety Razzledazzle

Irene Emahiser is a queer actor from Nashville, TN. They are a graduating 4th year BFA in Music Theatre, with an Honors in Acting. Recent credits include: The Prom (Emma), New Swan Shakespeare Festival: Twelfth Night (Feste), Measure for Measure (Francisca/Abhorson), Cabaret (Hans / us Emcee), Rent (Ensemble), Quit Bitchin (Lou). 

Peyton Farmer
Dance Captain and Swing

Peyton Farmer a 3rd year drama student, is (Dance Captain/Swing) is super excited to be a part of UCI’s production of Starmites. Other productions include 9 to 5 (Male understudy/swing), Anastasia (Vlad), Avenue Q, and (Rod) Additionally, Peyton has performed at the chase center and Sofi Stadium where he has worked with choreographer who have choreographed for artists such as Jennifer Lopez and Usher. Thank you so much mom and dad for everything

Erin Furlong
Eleanor/Bizarbara/Milady US

This is Erin Furlong’s 5th year here at UCI, graduating with a BFA in Music Theater at the end of this quarter. Earlier this year, you may have seen her as Kate Monster in Avenue Q, Missy in 9 to 5, or as Cinderella and Karen in the Mini Musicals put on with her BFA class. She is thrilled to have gotten to work on such a fun show. Enjoy!

Jeyna Lynn Gonzales (she/her)
Banshee – Balbraka

Jeyna Lynn is grateful for your support of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. She is a fourth-year Drama major with Honors in Acting and Honors in Stage Management. You may have seen her in last year’s King Lear (Cordelia) or The Prom (Shelby). She would like to thank the Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program, The American Theatre Wing & Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative, and Elizabeth and Thomas Tierney for their generosity and mentorship.

Megan January (she/they)
Banshee – Canibelle

Megan is a fourth year BFA in music theatre major graduating this spring (yipee!) with her honors in acting and minor in education. You may have seen her most recently in 9 to 5 (Kathy,) New Swan Shakespeare Festival’s Twelfth Night (Coral and band leader,) and in Cabaret (Fraulein Kost.) Catch her in New Swan’s Much Ado About Nothing (Hero and music director) this summer! She wants to express her immense gratitude to her family

Brogan Keener.
Starmite – S’up S’up Sensaboi

Hello! My name is Brogan Keener and I call Stockton, California my home. I’m currently aiming to graduate in 2026 with a BFA in Music Theatre, and I’m excited to be completing my second year as a transfer at UCI with a production as extreme as Starmites. I couldn’t imagine doing this show with a better team and cast, and I hope you enjoy.

Jessica Lopez
Banshee – Hollaback

Jess is overjoyed to return to the stage at UC Irvine’s production of Starmites. She’s a third-year double major in Musical Theatre and Criminology, Law & Society. Previous UCI appearances include: Gloria (Ani/Sasha/Callie), The Prom (Mrs. Greene), The Sweetheart Deal (Lettie) and Metro Theatre Company’s production of Spring Awakening (Wendla). Jess sends her love to her family and friends, and gives thanks to all who made this experience unforgettable. Enjoy the show! 🙂

Harper O’Loughlin (she/her)
Banshee – Shotzi

This is Harper’s first year at UCI and her second show, following her role as understudy for Jo in Quit Bitchin. She transferred here this year from Saddleback College where she played Ms. Gardner in Carrie: The Musical and Siobhan in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. She would like to thank her family for their support and hopes you all enjoy the show. 

Desiree Marcil (she/her)
Shak Graa US

Desiree is over the moon to be a part of Starmites! A drama major entering her final year as a transfer student in the Fall of 2025, Starmites is Desiree’s first show at UCI. Previous favorite roles include Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Winnie Tate (Annie Get Your Gun). Desiree is beyond grateful to Nikki Snelson for this opportunity, as well as her friends and family for their confidence in her.

Gerrel Marquez (he/they)
Starmite – Ack Ack Hackerax

Gerrel is honored to be in his last UCI show with this production of Starmites. He hopes you enjoy the show and are happy! Previous roles at UCI include: Moritz (Spring Awakening), Dick (9 to 5), Shawn (King James), Juror 10 (12 Angry Jurors), and Barfée (25th… Spelling Bee). They are a Founder and Co-Chair of Metro Theatre Company and would like to thank friends, family, and MT faculty. 

Robbie McFarlane
Trinkulus

Robbie is a third-year transfer, who is overjoyed to be a part of UCI’s Starmites and is honored to share in telling this wonderfully weird story with such an incredible crew and cast. Most recent credits include 9 to 5 (Josh), Twelfth Night (Sebastian), and Rocky Horror Show (Riff-Raff). Robbie would like to thank his family, friends, and partner for the endless light they bring to his life. And yes, the tail is real

Kaitlin Miranda
Dance Captain and Swing (Balbraka, Canibelle, Nyxara)

Kaitlin is very grateful to be a part of this production of Starmites at UCI! She is a fourth-year B.F.A. in Music Theatre and will be graduating this spring. Past UCI projects include: 9 to 5 (Roz), Mean Girls – Mini Musical (Gretchen), Into the Woods – Mini Musical (Little Red), Cabaret (Swing), and Assassins (Guiteau). Kaitlin would like to thank her family, friends and teachers for always giving her so much love and support.

Abby Penny
Trinkulus US

Abby is so grateful to be a part of her first MainStage at UCI in Starmites! She has had so much fun and has loved every second of the rehearsal process. Abby is a second year Drama BA at UCI. Recent credits from UCI include Beyond Prison Walls (Jenny), The Bacchae (Agave), and Songs For a New World (Storyteller). Many thanks to the incredible cast and crew!

Joe Saraceni (he/him)
Shak Graa

Joe is excited to be a part of this totally tubular show as the master villain Shak Graa as his second UCI mainstage show! He is a second-year drama major. His past credits includes Mortiz in Spring Awakening, St.Jimmy in American Idiot, Luke in the Lightning Thief, and Tobias in Sweeney Todd. He is super grateful for the amazing cast and crew, the directors and his interpreters!! Now what part of “enjoy the show!”

Sam Schneider
Shak Graa

Samuel Schneider is totally stoked that this radical show is closing out his undergraduate career at UCI. From Pippin at Solano College, to Sweeney Todd at Lucky Penny Productions, to the workshop of Quit Bitchin at UCI, Sam has kept his casting unpredictable, but nothing quite as out of this world as Starmites. He wants to give special love and thanks to his family who have supported him unwaveringly throughout his journey. Rave on!

Malia Schonfeld
Banshee – Cascade

Malia is so excited to be a part of Starmites as Cascade! She is a second-year Drama major who also has a passion for dance and choreography. She has recently choreographed Six: The Musical and Avenue Q. Performance highlights include playing Molly (Annie) and the dual roles of Mayor and Gary (The SpongeBob Musical). She is so grateful to her friends and family for supporting her passions and always being at every show!

Sophie Sonntag
Swing

Sophie is so grateful to be a part of Starmites at UC Irvine. She is a third year Musical Theatre BFA student, and is excited to be making her UCI main stage debut. Some of her credits include Anya (Anastasia) and Rapunzel (Into the Woods). She would like to thank the production team for all of the time and energy they put into making this production as fun to be in as it’s to watch

Jack Stoler
Eleanor/Bizarbara/Milady

Jack is a fifth year BFA in Music Theater student with Honors in Acting. You may have seen Jack in UCI’s Rent, Cabaret, King Lear, The Prom, and now Starmites! Other UCI Productions include Lizzie, The Addams Family, and most recently 12 Angry Jurors with Metro Theater Company. Jack is so excited to be working on such a fantastical show. They would like to thank Nikki and Zach for the incredible opportunity! Homina-Hey!

Eddie Tyler
Spacepunk US

Eddie is a first-year drama major at UCI. Earlier this year, he performed in the ensemble of 9 to 5 the musical, and was on the directing team for Metro Theater Production’s Showing of Avenue Q. Eddie is so grateful to be understudying the very talented Nathan Bravo during this production, and participating in this exciting adventure! He hopes you all continue to support live theater at educational programs, and enjoy the show!

Nicole Warkentein
Banshee – Nyxara

Nicole Warkentien is thrilled to be a part of UC Irvine’s production of Starmites! Some of her favorite past credits include: Margot in Legally Blonde, Candy Striper/Ensemble in 9 to 5, and Meg in Phantom of the Opera. Nicole is a third year BFA Musical Theatre major here at UC Irvine. Much love to Mom, Dad, and Brian.

Elle White (she/her)
Mom/Diva

Elle (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of Starmites at UC Irvine. They are a fourth-year BFA Music Theatre major. Previous UC Irvine appearances include: The Prom (Ensemble/Alyssa Greene (u/s)), Avenue Q (Gary Coleman). She would like to thank her family and friends for their support, the cast for their friendship and excellent ensemble work, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to put this show together.

Eric Backus (he/him)
Sound Designer

Eric is an award winning composer and sound designer, currently in his second year in the sound design MFA. His work has been heard Off-Broadway, and around the country in regional theatres including Goodman Theatre, Milwaukee Rep., Chicago Shakespeare Theater, South Coast Rep., Northern Stage, Steppenwolf, Writers Theatre, TheatreSquared, Northlight, and Theatre SilCo. Eric was recently nominated for an Orange County Theatre Guild Award for his work on Chance Theater’s Gloria. www.ericbackus.com

Kassia Curl
Master Electrician

Mariko Cilley (she/her)
Scenic Designer

Mariko is a second-year MFA scenic designer and is cosmically thrilled to bring the world of Starmites to life. She hopes audiences are transported by its heart and the magic of this fun innerspace adventure. She would like to give endless thank yous to the team that makes this all happen and to Sameer for being a grounding star with his unwavering support.

Savannah Flower
Costume Designer

Savannah Flower is a Costume Designer in her third and final year of UCI’s MFA program. She has enjoyed working in costumes through the roles of Costume Design, Assistant Design, Project Managing, and Wardrobe Supervising. Some of her highlights while designing at UCI have been productions of The Sweetheart Deal (2023), King Lear (2024), and her thesis Starmites (2025). She’d like to thank her cohort Ashley, Christian, and Rebecca for supporting her in school and in life.

Aidan J. Gustin (He/him)
Production Assistant

Aidan is a first year undergraduate Drama student and is cosmically excited to be working on Starmites. Previous scenic credits include Into the Woods with Blossom Trail Players and 9 to 5 at UC Irvine. He would like to thank his family for supporting him in his theatrical endeavors and his SM team for making his first PA experience so wonderful.

Sarah Hall (she/her)
Production Assistant

Sarah is a first-year Drama major with a strong background in technical theatre. She has served as props lead (Radium Girls), sound operator, and worked extensively on costumes, wigs, and hair/makeup at Laguna Hills High School and MTAOC. Most recently, she was on wardrobe crew for UCI’s New Slate. She is excited to be part of the Starmites production team and hopes you enjoy the show.

Bell Hernandez
Hair & Makeup Designer

Ruby Lapeyre (she/her)
Assistant Director

Ruby is over the moon about Starmites being her last UC Irvine production. Ruby will graduate with a BFA in Music Theatre, an education minor, and Honors in Stage Management. She hopes to pursue a career in acting and directing! You may have seen her direct Metro Theatre Company’s Spring Awakening. Thank you, Nikki, for allowing her to work on this wacky show with a wonderful cast, crew, creative, and SM team. Enjoy this trip!

Sain Leyva
Assistant Music Directior

Amelie Marks (she/her)
Assistant Stage Manager

Amelie is a first-year Drama major thrilled to be working on Starmites! She loves creating art and making people laugh. Her previous stage management and tech credits include Quit Bitchin (Production Assistant) at UCI, as well as Beauty and the Beast (Lighting) and All Shook Up (Lighting) at Pacific Coast High School. Amelie would like to thank the stage management team for their trust and support, and her family for always cheering her on. Let’s go, Starmites!

Mac McDermott (He/They)
Assistant Lighting Designer

Mac is a second year MFA lighting designer. He enjoys exploring stories about grief and growth and uses his lighting to highlight the beauty that can be found amid tragedy. Recent credits include Dance Escape and Gloria with UCI as well as Dracula: a Comedy of Terrors with No Square Theatre.

Jo McEvoy
Assistant Stage Manager

Jo McEvoy (she/her) is a current Stage Management Graduate student at UC Irvine with a flair for the funny. Her prior credits include Gloria, Twelfth Night, Cabaret, Men on Boats, Snow in Midsummer, Macbeth, Tilly No-Body: Catastrophes of Love, Yellow Face, and James & the Giant Peach. Alongside stage management, Jo has a strong interest in dramaturgy, playwriting, neo-futurism, and getting lost in the woods. Find more work at www.jowillstagemanagetheuniverse.weebly.com. Word up, boogie down!

Rin Mizumoto (she/her)
Lighting Designer

Rin is excited to share her thesis production, Starmites, with you today. She is a third-year MFA lighting design student. Previous design credits at UC Irvine include The Brothers Paranormal, Airness, and various dance concerts. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their support throughout her time at UCI. Examples of her work can be found at www.rinmizumoto.com.

Ashley Morgan
Wardrobe Supervisor

Ashley Morgan (Wardrobe Supervisor) is delighted join the team for Starmites. Recent credits include Costume Designer for La Belle et la Bete, Cabaret, Airness, and Beyond Prison Walls. She was a featured designer in Upcycled Couture (Laguna Art Museum) and Fashionistas 2025 (Orange County Center for Contemporary Art). Ashley also studied theatrical tailoring at Santa Fe Opera and is certified in digital textile design. Follow Ashley’s work at costumesbyashley.com.

Ysa Padua (she/they)
Music Direction Production Assistant

Ysa is a second year Drama major working as a Production Assistant to the Starmites Music Directing team! Select credits include Avenue Q (ASM), Spring Awakening (Intern MD), I Love You, Because (MD), Gloria (Kendra U/S), 9 to 5 (Pit Singer), Footloose (Ariel U/S), Addams Family (Wednesday/Alice Swing), among others. Sincere thanks to Zach and the music team for this opportunity, her family for their support, and her favorite dancing lizard!

Roland Perold
Assistant Music Directior

Roland joined UCI in Fall 2024. Originally from South Africa, Roland moved to the US specifically to further his studies in Music Direction. Back home, Roland worked in the performing arts sector in various capacities and is thrilled for this opportunity to be in Irvine to develop his skills. He was assistant MD to Sain Leyva on UCI’s production of “9 to 5” and is assisting Zach Dietz & Sain on “Starmites”.

Aria Roach (she/her)
Assistant Lighting Designer

Aria is a fourth-year undergraduate Lighting Design Honors student excited to assist on the lighting design of Starmites at UC Irvine. Past UCI credits include: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Spring Awakening, 12 Angry Jurors, Physical Graffiti 2024 and 2025, and Quit Bitchin’. She loves the way light can shape emotion and especially enjoys precise timing to enhance each moment. Aria thanks her friends and mentors for their support and looks forward to graduating!

Daniel Rosales (he/him)
Production Stage Manager

Daniel Rosales is a second-year MFA Stage Manager, fueling each show with calm gravity and cosmic timing. He earned his B.A. from Fresno State, where he discovered his passion for stage management. Select career highlights include Anna in the Tropics, Oedipus El Rey, RENT, and The Prom. He dedicates every production to his parents, Bernardo y Olga, whose unwavering support has shaped his journey—and he remains eternally grateful for their foundation. “Word Up, Boogie Down!”

Rebecca Shepherd
Costume Project Manager

Jeremiah Turner
Assistant Sound Designer

Gretchen Ugalde (she/her/hers)
Assistant Scenic Designer

Gretchen is so excited for audiences to experience Starmites—a show bursting with imagination and heart. She’s a second-year MFA scenic design student at UCI. Recent and upcoming credits include scenic designer for Gloria (UCI), The Little Mermaid (University of Missouri), and 50th Anniversary Spectacular (Great American Melodrama); associate scenic designer to Efren Delgadillo, Jr. for Merry Wives of Windsor (OSF); and apprentice to Clint Ramos for Hamlet (Center Theatre Group). Deep thanks to Mariko.